User menu

Search form

Blog

The CanWest News Service is reporting this afternoon that, “Councillors from Toronto and London, Ont., will meet with representatives of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities this weekend at a meeting in British Columbia to urge members to vote in favour of phasing out bottled water in all Canadian municipalities.”

THE RESOLUTION IS EXPECTED TO PASS
The CanWest article notes, “According to the Council of Canadians, 27 municipalities across the country are currently phasing out or restricting the sale and purchase of bottled water in municipal buildings and at city events. The council, which lobbies governments to ensure water is a human right that should be free to all people, is confident all Canadian municipalities will follow suit.”

The Globe and Mail reports this morning that, "The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is considering a new policy to urge all cities and towns across the country to ban bottled water within their facilities, arguing that the product is bad for the environment."

The London chapter of the Council of Canadians was instrumental in getting this resolution to the FCM for their consideration.

The article continues, "A vote on the proposal is expected on Saturday at a board meeting in Victoria..."

In advance of this vote, the Council of Canadians has written to all FCM Board members encouraging them to support this resolution.

We will also be able to let you know the outcome of the vote shortly after it happens.

Council of Canadians chapter activists and allies have been key in winning bottled water resolutions in municipalities across Canada, and a win at the FCM on Saturday would be an outcome of the momentum of that great work.

Embassy Magazine reported on March 4 that, "the North American Security and Prosperity Partnership 'is probably dead,' the Commons' Foreign Affairs committee was told on Feb. 25. However, Thomas d'Aquino, head of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, said something else will inevitably replace the controversial forum.”

D'Aquino said, "Why it will be replaced is because the energy, environment, trade, financial regulation, and agriculture, all these things that we do in the form of millions of cross-border transactions everyday are going to have to be co-ordinated."

The Miramachi Leader reports today that, "As part of the (6th Annual Earth Day Canada Gala) event, Maude Barlow, the first Senior Advisor on Water Issues to the President of the United Nations General Assembly, will be honoured with EDC's 'Outstanding Commitment to the Environment Award.'"

The Earth Day Canada gala will take place in Toronto on Wednesday June 10, 2009.

The National Post reports today that, "Canadian Fisheries Minister Gail Shea said Ottawa is planning to challenge (a proposed European Union ban on seal products) before the WTO."

EU BAN ON IMPORTING SEAL PRODUCTS
"The EU moved closer Monday toward adopting the trade ban after its committee on internal market and consumer affairs approved a proposal that would prevent EU countries from importing seal products."

EU VOTE SET FOR APRIL 1
"The ban has yet to be approved by the members of the European Parliament -- a vote is set for April 1 -- and after that by individual EU governments."

INUIT SEAL HUNT EXEMPTED
"Products from traditional Inuit seal hunts from Canada and Greenland would be exempted under the proposed ban."

WILLIAMS WITHDRAWS SUPPORT FOR CANADA-EU TRADE DEAL On February 23, CanWest reported that Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams, citing the EU ban, said, "At this point, we are not willing to sign on to support the negotiation of a new and comprehensive economic agreement with the European Union."